In Russia’s Oryol Region, gasoline at Rosneft and Gazprom filling stations will begin to be sold from July 4 according to a schedule based on the first digit of a vehicle’s license plate. Governor Andrei Klychkov announced the new procedure for 57 gas stations operated by the two chains during a live broadcast on VKontakte.
He said that on Saturday, July 4, vehicles with plates beginning with 0 and 1 will be allowed to refuel; on Sunday, those beginning with 2 and 3; and on Monday, those beginning with 4 and 5. The schedule will then continue in the same sequence up to 9.
At the same time, the one-time fuel limit will be increased: instead of the previous 30 liters, each driver will be able to buy up to 50 liters. For cars registered in other regions, three separate gas stations will be designated in Oryol.
“My priority is the residents of the Oryol Region, not transit vehicles or those simply passing through,” Klychkov said.
The governor said the authorities expect the measure to reduce panic buying and provide motorists with enough fuel for one and a half to two weeks. According to him, the restrictions will be lifted once demand subsides.
The region had already introduced fuel sales limits earlier. Since June 24, Oryol Region has capped gasoline purchases at no more than 30 liters per person at urban stations and no more than 50 liters on highways.
Against the backdrop of a fuel crisis that reportedly worsened in May after Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil facilities, restrictions on gasoline sales have been introduced in more than 20 regions of the country.